Spiritual growth

Spiritual growth is the process of fundamental transforma­tion involving drawing closer to God; growing in faith, improving one's character, thoughts and behavior (greater love, wisdom, humility, compassion, etc.), deepening one's understanding and awareness of the divine and how one's thoughts and actions affects others, and living with greater purpose in terms of God's will.

Cru defines spiritual growth as "the journey of growing in faith to know more about God and become the person that He created you to be."

Key concepts of spiritual growth in Christianity

Repentance

See also: Repentance

The very first public announcement by Jesus Christ
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." — Mark 1:15

As far as the New Testament, according to the Greek Orthodox Diocese of America:

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The Greek term for repentance, metanoia, denotes a change of mind, a reorientation, a fundamental transforma­tion of outlook, of man's vision of the world and of himself, and a new way of loving others and God. In the words of a second-century text, The Shepherd of Hermas, it implies "great understanding," discernment. It involves, that is, not mere regret of past evil but a recognition by man of a dar­kened vision of his own condition, in which sin, by sepa­rating him from God, has reduced him to a divided, auto­nomous existence, depriving him of both his natural glory and freedom. "Repentance," says Basil the Great, "is salvation, but lack of understanding is the death of repentance."

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Repentance is primarily a change of the heart and mind, or rather a change in the mind (Greek metanoia—meta "change" + noia "mind"); a personal metamorphosis. This is what repentance means in the context of salvation: Luke 13:1-5 "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Jesus is telling the people they need to change the way they think. In this context, a change of mind represents also a reversal of one's previous moral judgment, a repudiation of one's previous behavior. There is a command to believe: "Repent ye, and believe the gospel" (Mark 1:15). How can anyone believe in Christ if they don't change their thinking? No one naturally sees themselves as a sinner; when you repent, you know and realize you're a sinner. You change from thinking "I'm a basically good person." to "I'm a sinner; I need Jesus." That is the third definition of repentance. "Behold, thou art made whole; sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." John 5:14. "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more." John 8:11. "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance" Matthew 3:8. (See Corporal and spiritual works of mercy.)

Repentance is a turning away, to cease. Example: Revelation 2:16 "Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth." The Holy Spirit is warning the church of Pergamos to stop their fornication.

Sanctification

See also: Sanctification

Sanctification is a Christian theological concept that refers to the process of becoming holy or sacred, or being set apart for a special purpose for God. It is a gift from God that involves becoming more pure, blameless, and separated from sin.

The Holy Spirit plays a vital and primary role in the process of sanctification, acting as the agent that actively works within a Christian to transform their character. The Holy Spirit makes Christians more like Jesus Christ by enabling and empowering them to resist sin and live a life that is reflective of God's holiness. The Holy Spirit is a driving force behind spiritual growth and development in a Christian's life.

Saint Paul wrote about the fruit of the Spirit: "By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things." (Galatians 5:22-23 NRSV).

Holiness

See also: Holiness

"The doctrine of holiness is grounded in the command to be holy as God is holy (Lev. 19:2 and other Old Testament loci).

Michelangelo's painting of the creation of the Sun and Moon.

"The doctrine of holiness is grounded in the command to be holy as God is holy (Leviticus 19:2 and other Old Testament loci). Jesus commanded, “Be perfect therefore as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Jesus also taught that true Christian discipleship requires loving God with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving neighbor as self (Matthew 22:34-40)."

As far as the Hebrew meaning of the word holy, the Fellowship of Israel Related Ministries notes:

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Hebrew is a unique language when it comes to word studies. Every Hebrew word is usually built on a three-consonant root word. Often, many words close in meaning can share the same root. And reversibly, every word carries the meaning of the root word that it derived from originally. The Hebrew word for “holy” is kodesh. It comes from the root word “Kadash”. This root word, in simpler terms, means to be set apart for a specific purpose (Ancient Hebrew Lexicon, vituralbookword.com publishing, Jeff Benner)... So, we now know that the Hebrew meaning of holy is more than just “morally righteous”... And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:6a) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9)... But when the Scriptures call Israel a holy nation, it isn’t suggesting that Israel is somehow sinless or divine. Instead, it points to the fact that Israel has been chosen. They have been set apart from the nations! And they were called for a specific purpose in the earth.

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Faith

See also: Faith

Works

See also: